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Petrolatums
Petrolatum is
derived from high-viscosity, lubricating paraffin-based crude oils. It consists
of minute crystalline waxes with occluded oil. Petrolatum combines paraffinic
and olefinic hydrocarbons. Olefinic hydrocarbons give petrolatum its oleaginous
character.
Technical (industrial) petrolatum has a wide range of applications including: rubber processing aids; printing inks; carbon papers; buffing and polishing compounds; shoe polishes; corrosion preventatives; solder pastes; candles; dust control; etc.
USP petrolatum
is used in cosmetics (creams, lotions, hair products); pharmaceuticals
(ophthalmic ointments, dental adhesives, topical ointment, gauzes); the
food industry (coating for fruits & vegetables, food packaging materials,
animal feed supplements).
For pharmaceutical uses the petrolatum needs considerable refinement (petrolatum USP). USP petrolatum has a specific gravity of 0.815-0.865 at 60°C. The various grades of petrolatum (Petroleum jelly, Vaseline) marketed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses are designated per specific melting points, consistenciess (penetrations), and colors. |
